Yesterday? A day fraught with challenges. For starters, I’m still struggling with this sinus thing and I feel yucky much of the time. Nevertheless, I looked at our upcoming schedule, along with the predictions of a significant snow event Saturday into Sunday and figured it was time to get the Christmas tree. That went smoothly. We had the tree picked out in no time. When we got home, we stopped to have some lunch and then we hauled the Christmas decorations out of the shed, along with the tree stand. Along the way, I realized I had wrenched something in my lower back, which was evident when I was going up and down the stairs. Drat.
Then it came time to bring the tree inside and fit it in the stand. This requires crouching on all fours on my part. Stuffed up head. Aching back. Try as we might we couldn’t get the stand to lay flat. The legs were uneven, which was perplexing as we had used the stand plenty of times in the past. We tried bending them this way and that and eventually Don started putting pressure on the legs with his booted foot to try and right the situation. He didn’t have his glasses on and stomped on a metal leg while my middle finger was still under it. I screeched in pain. There was a lot of bleeding and a chunk of skin missing from the tip of my finger, but thankfully, nothing was broken. It’s painful and my finger is covered in bandaids, making typing a wee bit difficult. Don felt terrible, of course, but it wasn’t his fault. These things happen.
He had to go back out and buy a new stand.
Decorating the big tree will not happen until tonight or tomorrow night. But it’s very pretty. The little white tree, as you can see from the first picture, has been put up and looks lovely.
The other day, my little package from Spain arrived. Spain! How exciting! What was in it?
Be still my heart. Miniature plates made out of ceramic, in the most luscious vintage patterns.
A cup and saucer.
Another cup and saucer.
And a matching platter.
Oh my lord. Clearly the owner of Hummingbird Cottage loves china, especially vintage china. She swoons over beautiful, old-fashioned patterns. She haunts antique stores and flea markets, looking for more china for her collection.
Does that sound like anyone else you know?
I’m not sure where these will eventually end up but I’ve been playing with them.
These pieces are so beautifully done, I can barely stand it. Swoon-worthy. Just as in my life-sized house, there is limited space here in the dollhouse for china.
Will that stop me? No.
These pieces of china came from Sofia’s Etsy Shop – Twelvetimesmoreteeny. She does exquisite work. Stop by and feast your eyes on the loveliness. I could go nuts there.
Happy Thursday.
Suzan says
So very tiny, yet so lovely!!
Claudia says
They sure are!
Dawn says
You have me so envious of all the little treasures you find for your house. I really want a doll house but not sure where I would put it. I guess for now I will just have to enjoy yours. So sorry to hear about your finger and your sinuses, I thought you would be feeling better by now. Can’t wait to see your tree all decked out:)
Claudia says
You’d find the room. If I can, you certainly can!!
kristieinbc says
I’m sorry to hear you are still struggling with sinus problems. Hopefully they clear up soon. And your poor finger! And your poor husband! I love the little pieces of china. :-)
Claudia says
I really feel pretty crappy at the moment!
Judy Ainsworth says
So sorry you had one of those days! But That china I’m sure that helped you (at least mentally) to feel better! Adorable,Luscious,Beautiful I LOVE IT! – Judy A
p.s. BE CAREFUL!!!
Claudia says
I will!
Carol at Serendipity says
Claudia,
Definitely, definitely about the cutest things I have ever seen. What fun.
Hope you feel better soon. This is a hard time of the year to not feel well.
Carol
Claudia says
It sure is. Too much to do!
Carolyn says
Those teeny tiny plates are wonderful!
Hope that you feel better soon; sinus pain just drags on and weakens the body. Take care and be careful!
Claudia says
It sure does – I will start to feel better, then I’ll get worse. I’m ready to be well!
ladycobblestone says
So pretty. Now my little doll wants china for her house for Christmas.
Smiles to you.
Linda
Claudia says
I don’t blame her!
Francine says
Claudia – so sorry to hear about the tree mishap and your finger on top of sinuses problems…. I hope you are on the mend soon.. I just love those tiny saucers and the intricate designs. Everything in the dollhouse looks so nice – the colors are gorgeous!! I hope today is a better day for you – Our tree is up, but not decorated yet either… this weekend looks like the perfect time to do it…!! Have a good day! Francine
Claudia says
You too, Francine!
Tana says
I sliced my finger two days ago while cleaning out a tin can. Forgot about the edge. I have a can opener that seals the edges but two of the cans were pull-off and I forgot and, like you said, these things happen. I have found flossing my teeth difficult with my finger wrapped up. Maybe I will go back to bed until it heals, or Christmas is over, either one. I also have a bad back which is behaving for the moment but if I start going through too many boxes, watch out!
I love the new china. The Mrs. in the doll house is a woman after my own heart. Can’t pass up stuff for the kitchen.
Claudia says
We must be kindred spirit, Tana – take care and be careful!
Beverly says
Oh my word, Claudia. These are definitely swoonworthy. My heart is going pitter pat.
I am still moving on with my Holiday Home Tour. Thank you for your encouragement, support and visit. Day four is posted, and more to follow.
Claudia says
I’ll be by later, Beverly. Yesterday got a bit too crazy with cuts and bad backs and sinus stuff – I didn’t get around to visiting anyone.
Lisa says
beautiful cottage!!! enjoy your blog….
Claudia says
Thank you, Lisa.
grace says
Dear Claudia,wishing you a speedy recovery all around! Perhaps the planets were slightly out of alignment :)? looking at events here including my dropping a pot through the open oven door and smashing it .Your dollhouse owner has exquisite taste and i wonder if we might get to meet her someday. Try to take it easy and feel better soon!
Claudia says
Someday you will meet her.
Margaret says
I have a dollhouse. I have a plate addiction. I have now bookmarked Sofia’s Etsy store. You are leading me into temptation. Nonetheless, I am sorry to learn of your no good, terrible, very bad day.
Claudia says
Apparently, I have been leading a lot of people into temptation!
Judy Clark says
Claudia – so sorry you’re not feeling well and the addition of a hurt back and smashed finger doesn’t help. Do you have a Whole Foods near by? I swear by Wellness Formula that they sell. It’ll knock about anything really quickly and is all natural. Be sure and buy the capsules not the pills. They work wonders.
Love those dishes!!! Dollhouse is just beautiful.
Get well soon!
Judy
Claudia says
No Whole Foods nearby, unfortunately. xo
Nancy Blue Moon says
Oh my Claudia..what a horrible day for something that should have been fun..I’m sure poor Don feels terrible..May you both have a better day today..Hugs
Claudia says
Hopefully, we will!
susan says
Thanks a lot, Claudia! I am addicted to plates/china/dishes. I have a tendency to collect things. So far in life, I have been able to resist temptation to get a doll house and fill it with tiny treasures, but you are seriously weakening me! I am on my way to the Etsy website to check out more miniatures now…
Hope you feel better soon!
Claudia says
You’ll love all that eye candy, Susan.
Julie says
Now you need some teeny tiny cookies for that plate on the table……hope you feel better soon. I’ve had that sinus fluey thingy for a week. Went to DR yesterday – just a virus so no meds needed. J
Claudia says
Yes, I really don’t have any dollhouse food yet. I commiserate with you on the sinus/fluey thing. It is NOT fun.
Annette Tracy says
Those plates are amazing, and the detail is incredible. I used to so not enjoy putting up the live tree, getting it to fit in the stand, and pouring water in it. We went to a faux tree several years ago for health reasons, and it is so much easier. I miss the smell of the live greens, but buy wreaths and hit up the tree lots for cut off branches to use in the house so I still have Christmas all around!
Claudia says
We still get our live tree, partly because we love them and also because we have no place to store a faux tree!
Bama (Carolyn) says
How beautiful! They are so elegant and look like real vintage pieces. They look perfect in your little house.
So sorry to hear about your finger. I hope it heals fast.
Merry Christmas!
Claudia says
Me too! It’s on my right hand, which is the hand I use to do everything!
Erin says
I have some from her as well and you are right! They are indeed lovely!
Claudia says
She does such nice work, Erin.
Kelly says
Hi Claudia,
I love how some misadventures are turned into sweet memories. Bet you had fun picking the tree and having lunch together and then going out for the replacement stand.
Hope the finger heals quickly.
Claudia says
Yes to the first two, Don went out to get the stand on his own because I was still dealing with my finger.
Patricia says
Well, I certainly hope you got lots of get well kisses from Don and Scout! That make boo-boos heal the best.
Love the plates. I have two dollhouses in our rec room that were made by family members and now belong to my granddaughters. We are storing them since they moved to a small condo in Florida. I’m soooo tempted to play with them and decorate them according to my style. Now that I think of it, I might make a New Years Resolution to work on them according to the current type of furnishings already there and surprise them when they’re here in March!
Donnamae says
Wow…sinuses, bad back, crunched finger….hope that’s all the bad luck! Plates are gorgeous…are they about a half inch or so in diameter? Hope you are feeling better! ;)
ellen says
Those miniature plates are adorable. I’d love them “true” size as well. I love seeing your mini world. I am feeling achey lately, and really trying hard to avoid the Ibuprofen, but there is no time for a bath. I have turned into my grandmother rubbing white siang pure balm on my temples, my shoulders, etc. ha!
Janet in Rochester says
Donnamae is right. Three misadventures are more than enough for now. The finger, the sinuses and the back. You are Officially-Done for the duration. PS – LOVE those bitty china plates. Not to mention AMAZING as to how they can decorate them so well at that size… I’m loving the dollhouse renovations and remodeling. You’re going to have a showplace by the time you finish – although something tells me you may never actually finish. Like most of us with our full-size homes, you’ll go on tweaking things pretty much forever. Hope all your parts feel much better soon!
Kimberlyncreations says
Oh, Claudia. You evil, evil woman. I hope the plates that you made me buy arrive by Christmas since I am justifying it by saying it’s a present to myself. Thanks a lot. I do hope you feel better soon and that Don kissed your boo-boo finger for you. Hoping your decorating will be uneventful from here on out!
Melanie says
So sorry to hear about all your mishaps plus sinus trouble on top of it – ugh! Those little dishes are so gorgeous…I want them for myself in real-life size! ;-)
Christina DeMarco says
Those are sooooo pretty! I love miniatures too!
Linda @ A La Carte says
So pretty and so tiny! Amazing! Sorry about the finger, ouch!
Debbie says
AdOrAbLe!!!! I loved these so much I had to use your link to go directly to her shop. These china pieces are perfect for Hummingbird Cottage. I hope you start to feel better soon, and your finger injury … OUCH!!!
Marianne L says
It takes a special kind if person to have sinusitis, hurt their back, AND be mistaken for a tree stand! Good thing you had those lovely little plates to take your mind off things!